Saddle clamping method and means



c. E. VAN HECKE 1,884,403

Sz'l-)DLEY CLAMPING METHQD AND MEANS Oct. 25, 1932.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Original Filed Jan. 25, 1930 OCL 25, 1932- c. E. VAN HECKE SADDLE CLAMPING METHOD AND MEANS Original Filed Jan. 25, 1930 vwafwtoz C E 7572 Ye C786 Patented Oct. 25, 1932 UNTED STATES CHARLES E. VAN HECKE, OF'STEVENS POINT, WISCONSIN SADDLE CLAMPING METHGD AND MEANS Original application filed January 25, 1930, Serial No. 423,496'. Divided and this application filed April 6, 1931. Serial N 0. 528,209.

This application is av division of my parent U'. S. application Serial No. 423,496, tiled January 25, 1930, and it is the aim of the present invention to provide a novel and advantageous method and means forV securing a lateral-connecting saddle to a pipe main.

With the foregoing in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter 4hereinafter described and claimed, description being accomplished by reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. l is a top plan view sho-wing the saddle initially clamped on the main.

Fig. 2 is averticaltransverse sectional view through the main online 2-2 of Fig. l, the saddle and one of its clamping yokes being shown in elevation.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the saddle leaded and its tightening screw removedi" f Fig. 4 is a view similar to-Fig. 3 but showing the clamping yoke contracted to final position and illustrating the clamp by means of which said yoke may be moved to contracted position.

Fig. 5 is a. perspective view of one Aof the yoke links.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of one or the U-shaped yoke straps.

Fig. 7 is a perspective view of one of the yoke saddles. Y

Fig. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a plurality of the yoke-contracting rockers integrally joined with each other inbar form, and the yoke keys hereinafter described may be` similarly formed, if desired.

The invention has been disclosed embodying preferred characteristics which will be rather specifically explained, with the understanding'however that'within the scope of the invention as claimed, variations may be made.

A hatflange or main saddle 2l is provided to contact .with the main 20, said saddle being provided with an appropriate packing 22 around an openingwhich isadapted to receive a nipple 23 projecting from the main 20.. The saddle 2l is provided with an integral hub or bell 24, and the parts 23 and 24 are instrumental in connecting a lateral pipe the thrust screw 43 is iiuid-tightly with the saddle, so that when the plug 23 of the nipple 23 is removed, the main and the lateral will be in communication.

The saddle 21 is provided with two end portions or seats 37 which project longitudinally of the main 20 from the inner end of the bell 24. Two yoke structures 38 embrace these saddle portions 37 and the main 20, and

kas the constructions of both yokes 38 and the steps followed in securing them, are identical, a specific description in connection with only one, will sulice.

YokeY 38 embodies an elongated saddle 39 having a central seat portion 40 and bifurcated ends 4l projecting in opposite directions from said seat portion, the furcations of said ends 4l being formed with transverse seats or grooves 42. A thrust screw 43 is threaded centrally through the portion 40 of the saddle 39 and is adapted for engagement with the portion 37 of the saddle 2l, which portion may be provided with a shallow recess 44, shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2, to receive the inner end of said screw. A U- shaped stirrup extends around the main 2O and has its ends connected with the ends of the saddle 39, said stirrup preferably consisting of a U-shaped strap 45 and two duplicate links 46 connected with the ends of said strap. These ends of the strap45 are preferably provided with laterally spaced hooksV 47 between which the inner ends of the links 46 are received, said inner link ends having slots 49 through which the keys 50 pass, said keys being engaged with the hooks 47. The other ends of the links 46 are provided with substantially ovate slots 51 through which rockers 52 pass. These link ends are received between the furcatio'ns of the' saddle 39, and the rockers 52 rest in the grooves or seats 42, the rockers and the saddle 39 initially having the angular relation with each other, shown in Fig'. 2. ll/Vith the parts in this relation, forcibly tightened,

thereby causing compression of the ring or gasket 22 and moving the saddle 2l into or substantiallyn into contact with the main 20. In view of the fact that the screw 43 exerts an inward ,force upon the saddle 2l and an outward force upon the saddle 39, a space is caused between said saddle 39 and the portion 37 of the saddle 21. lVith the use of suitable equipment for the purpose, this space is now oured full of molten met-al such as lead, as indicated by the reference character 52. Upon cooling and solidifying of the poured metal, the screw 43 is removed. Then, by

means of a suitable clamp 53, such as that illustrated in Fig. 4, the outer ends of the links 42 are forcibly moved toward each other, during which movement, the rockers 52am so. tilted that they exert a tremendous contracting force upon the yoke 38,l the force bein so great that not only is shrinkage of the ller 52 (incident to cooling) compensated for, but said filler slightly compressed. Hence, the saddle 21 is secured upon the main 11 in an unusually tight and tenacious manner. When thelinks 46 have been moved inwardly to the maximum by the clamp 53, the rockers 52 lie against the outer walls of 'their-receiving slots 51 and they are then Slightly past dead center positions, so that thelongitudinal strain on the links 46 will tend to hold said rockers in operative position, instead of permitting possible outward or releasing tilting thereof. After it has performed its function, the clampy 53 is removed. If desired however, before removing this clamp, pins or wedges 53 may be inserted in the slots 51 to hold the rockers 52 against any possibility of being tilted back to die position of Figs. 2 and 3. Whiler I prefer to make use of the pins or wedges 53', they will not be essential it the rockers 52 be moved sufficiently past dead center to pre- 1Vent them from having a. tendency to return to released position.

The tightening, leading, and final. contracting above described in connection with one of the yokes 38, are of course carried out also with the other yoke.

When using the specific appara-tus herein disclosed, the method steps incident to connecting the saddle with the main, areas follows. The saddle 21 with its gasket 22 normally protruding beyond its inner face, is positioned upon the main 20 with the plugged nipple 23 extending into the bell 24. The

two yokes 38 are then assembled and forcibly tightened by means of the screws 43. Then, the fillers 52 are applied and the screws 43 :are removed. Next, the clamp 53 (or two of them if desired) is engaged with the outer ends of the links 46 and by means ofV said clamp'or clamps, the links are forced 'inwardly toward each other, causing tilting of the rockers 52 from the position shown in Fig. 3 to that illustrated in Fig. 4, thereby effecting final and tight contraction of the yokes 38. Ifthe pins or wedges 53 are to be used, they are now inserted and the clamps 58ers `then removed, leaving the saddle 21 tightly `clamped upon the main 20. The lateral pipe may now be connected with the saddle through the instrumentality of the nipple 23 and the bell 24, as described in the parent application above mentioned, and when plug 23 of said nipple is removed, the lateral and main will be in communication with each other.

I claim 1. In a method of securing a saddle upon a main, the steps of positioning the saddle, embracing saddle and main with a yoke, tightening the yoke by forcibly moving a portion thereof outwardly from one of the embraced members, and placing a metal filler in the space thus formed.

2. In a method of securing a saddle upon a main, the steps of positioning the saddle, embracing saddle and main with al yoke, tightening the yoke by forcibly moving a portion thereof outwardldy from one of the embraced members, an pouring molten metal into the space thus formed.

3. In a method of securing a saddle upon a main, the steps of positioning the saddle, embracing saddle and main with a yoke, tightening the yoke by forcibly moving a portion thereof outwardly from one of the embraced members, pouring molten metal into the space thus formed, and tightly contracting the yoke after solidiying of the poured metal.

4. In a method of securing a saddle upon a main, the steps of positioning the saddle, placing a clamp around main and saddle, exerting a force in one direction on the clamp and in the reverse direction on the saddle to force the latter against the main and to space a ortion of said clamp from the saddle, and lling the space thus formed with molten metal.

5. In a method of securing a saddle upon a main, the steps of positioning the saddle, placing a clamp around main and saddle, exerting a force in one direction on the clamp and in the reverse direction on the saddle to force the latter against the main and to space a portion of said clamp from the saddle, filling the space thus formed with compressible metal, and forcibly contracting the clamp to compress said metal.

6. In a method of securing a saddle upon a main, the steps of positioning the saddle, placlng a clamp around main and saddle, exerting a force in one direction on the clamp and in the reverse direction on the saddle to force the latter against the main and to space a portion of said clamp from thesaddle, filling the space thus formed with molten metal, and forcibly contracting the clamp after solidfying of said metal.

7. In a method of securing a saddle upon a main, the steps of positioning the saddle, placing a clamp around main and saddle, operating a thrust portion of said clamp to exert force in one direction on the clamp iso and in the reverse direction on the saddle to force the latter against the main and to space a portion of the clamp from the saddle, lling the space thus formed with molten metal, releasing said thrust portion of the clamp Vafter solidifying of said metal, and

tightly contracting said clamp.

8. An assemblage of the class described comprising a main, a. saddle thereon, and a yoke embracing said main and saddle, said yoke having a portion spaced outwardly from one of the embraced members, and a poured metal filler occupying ,the space between said portion of said yoke and said one of the embraced members.

9. An assembly of the class described comprising a main, a saddle thereon having an outwardly facing seat, a yoke embracing the main and saddle and having a seat portion spaced radially of the main from the first named seat portion, and a poured metal filler in the space between said seat portions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

CHARLES E. VAN HECKE. 

